4 Raiders

AFC 2001 - Ranking the AFC

DRIVING FORCE: Gruden, Capt. Intensity, had a plan to weed out the malcontents and slackers four years ago -- and the Raiders are knocking on the Super Bowl door.

RISING FORCE: CB Charles Woodson is one Heisman Trophy winner who is becoming a big-time star. He is having a Deion Sanders-like effect on teams -- they're scared to throw to his side.

ON OFFENSE: QB Rich Gannon got help when RB Charlie Garner was brought in to replace Napoleon Kaufman, who joined the ministry.

ON DEFENSE: Added pass-rusher Trace Armstrong to an already stout unit. DT Darrell Russell will miss the first four games because of a suspension but the line is deep. Rush defense gave up 96 yards per game last season.

BUZZ: Raiders plugged any holes created by free agency. The schedule is thorny with road games at Miami, Indy, Philly and the N.Y. Giants. May have to settle for wild-card spot behind Denver.